Matt Halliday joins GRC Lites field for Indianapolis round

One look at Matt Halliday’s racing resume should be enough to incite deep jealousy in even some of the world’s most successful racing drivers. He’s competed in everything from go-karts to Porsches, A1 Grand Prix to the Champ Car World Series, and a number of V8 Supercar endurance rounds.

This weekend, he’ll add Red Bull Global Rallycross to that list.

Halliday joins AF Racing this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway, completing the GRC Lites grid. In a last-minute deal, the New Zealand native flew overnight from his Los Angeles office to Indianapolis to jump into a completely new form of racing and car he’d never driven before.

“I wasn’t organized for it, but these opportunities tend to come up like that,” he admitted. “When these last minute opportunities come up, you have to be prepared to put yourself on the line. I’ve done it a lot in my career. This is going to be a fun weekend!”

Born in Auckland, Halliday first competed in the United States as an Indy Lights driver in 2001 and returned as a Champ Car driver in 2007. A veteran of numerous European and Australian-based series, the 37-year-old (he celebrates a birthday next Friday) welcomes the opportunity to make his rallycross debut, citing both a relaxed atmosphere and a unique race format.

“GRC is a completely different format from other forms of racing,” he continued. “There’s potential for huge growth. It’s a form of racing where it puts the driver as the star, which is crucial. If you want to be a star, you have to be noticed—you have to go away from this part of the sport where dad has a lot of money, the kid can get in the car and then go to Formula 1. Those kids don’t attract the public’s imagination. The fan base drop off is huge. Long story short, GRC puts the driver in the front seat and it’s a completely different form of racing.”

But while he boasts experience in a number of the world’s top racing series, the Kiwi is the first to admit that even that may not mean much with such a different vehicle and course to conquer.

“I haven’t even used a gear stick in a racing car for years, at least since 2012, for a clutch and a gear stick!” Halliday said. “If you’re a racing driver, you like to think that you can drive anything. Obviously you can’t come into a race weekend without any practice, and the dirt is different.

“I’m just hoping that my experience will come to the front, because it’s hard to picture and imagine that stuff before you get in the car. I’ve driven so many different things in my career—hopefully I can pick and choose what to use and what can help me.”

At the end of Lites practice, Halliday ranked seventh overall with a best time of 49.898 seconds, just over a second away from practice leader Christian Brooks. But while he’s still adapting to the new car, one thing is clear: he’s having the time of his life trying something new.

“I’m not putting any expectations on it because it’s completely new for me,” he concluded. “I don’t think I’ve done something like this—I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into. It’s good to challenge yourself, and this will be one of those challenges.”

Rd 4: Circuit of the Americas

Rd 5: Circuit of the Americas

Gustavo YacamanGustavo Yacaman

colombian race car driver at Red Bull Global Rallycross

Full name: Gustavo Yacaman

Nationality: Colombian

Resides: Miami, FL.

Birthdate: February 25, 1991

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.gustavoyacaman.com

Yacamán Aristizabal is a Colombian racing driver from Santiago de Cali. Yacamán began his career in open-wheel racing, but switched to sports car endurance racing in 2012. He raced in the US until he joined G-Drive Racing in 2015, where he drove a Ligier in the WEC Championship and finished that season 3rd in the LMP2 class. In 2016 Yacamán switched to a sprint format, driving for BMW Team Teo Martín in the International GT Open series. He finished runner-up for the 2016 Championship.

For 2009, he returned to the U.S. to race in the Firestone Indy Lights Series with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. He finished 12th in points with a best finish of 4th at the Milwaukee Mile. He returned to the series in 2010 with the rookie team Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing. Yacamán improved to 10th in points and captured his first podium finish with a 3rd place at Toronto. He returned to the series in 2011 for a third season, this time with Team Moore Racing. He captured his first win late in the season at Baltimore and finished fourth in points. Yacamán achieved his first Indy Lights pole position at the 2012 Firestone Freedom 100. He finished the season third in points with two wins (at Detroit and Toronto) and three runner-up finishes.

source: wikipedia.com

Results

2017 Third position – Red Bull Global Rallycross Louisville

2016 BMW M6 GT3 – BMW Team Teo Martin

2015 Ligier JS P2 – G-Drive Racing

2016 Oreca Chevy – Starworks Motorsport

2014 Morgan – NIssan – Ligier – OAK Racing

2013 DP 6 – Michael Shank Racing

2012 DP 6 Michael Shank Racing – Daytona 24 hours

2012 Dallara 2 – Team Moore Racing

2012 Dallara 2 – Team Moore Racing

2011 Dallara 10 – Wayne Taylor Racing

2009 Dallara 44 – Sam Schmidt

2008 D308 14 – Tecauto

2008 D306 44 – Novatec Racing

2006 Formula BMW – Master Junior Formula

Matthew HallidayMatthew Halliday

New Zealand race car driver

Full name: Matthew Halliday

Nationality: New Zealand

Resides: Auckland, NZ

Birthdate: July 14, 1979

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.matthaliday.com

Matt Halliday is a New Zealand born international racing driver who has been contesting a variety of racing categories worldwide. Having risen through the ranks of junior formulae such as karting and Formula Ford he quickly progressed to international racing championships including Formula Holden in Australia, Indy Lights in the USA and Formula Renault V6 in Europe and Asia.The highest profile categories he has raced in include Australian V8 Supercars endurance races, USA Champcars, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and more recently the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup contested in Europe and the Middle East. When his commitments allow, Matt also returns to New Zealand to contest selected Porsche GT3 events.

source: wikipedia.com

Results

2010 – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Europe and Middle East

2009/10 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2009 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Mini-Endurance

2008– V8 Supercars – Australia

2008– New Zealand Grand Prix – Toyota Racing Series

2007/08 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2007– V8 Supercars – Australia

2007– USA Champ Car World Series

2007 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2006/07– A1GP Series World Cup Of Motorsport

2006– V8 Supercars – Australia

2006 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2006–Formula Renault V6 Asia Championship

2005/06– A1GP Series World Cup Of Motorsport

2005– V8 Supercars – Australia

2005 – Champcar World Series – USA

2005 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Championship

2004– V8 Supercars – Australia

2004 – Australia and NZ – Porsche GT3 and Carrera Cup

2004 – Porsche Trans Tasman GT3 Challenge – NZ

2003 –Formula V6 Euroseries – Europe and UK

Dayton Indy Lights Series 2001 – USA

2nd & 3rd – New Zealand Grand Prix

3rd – Formula Holden Championship

Formula Holden 1999 – 2000 – Australia and NZ

4th – National Championship (10 Top 3 finishes)

3rd – NZ FFI600 Festival

Formula Ford 1998 – NZ

National Sprint Champion in1997.

National Senior Champion in 1996

National Junior Light Champion in 1994

1988 – 1997 Karting – NZ

Burt JennerBurt Jenner

X Games Athlete

Full name: Burt Jenner

Nationality: American

Resides: Malibu, CA

Birthdate: September 6, 1978

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.jennerracing.com

Joining AF Racing alongside Alejandro Fernandez, Jenner makes his first GRC Lites start in Memphis nearly four years removed from his first test session in the car. The former Octane Academy winner has made a name for himself in off-road racing and sports cars, and combines those backgrounds in his first attempt at rallycross. The California native is just one in a long line of drivers to make his debut for the team, many of whom have gone on to contend for wins.

Rd 4: Circuit of the Americas

Rd 5: Circuit of the Americas

Gustavo YacamanGustavo Yacaman

colombian race car driver at Red Bull Global Rallycross

Full name: Gustavo Yacaman

Nationality: Colombian

Resides: Miami, FL.

Birthdate: February 25, 1991

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.gustavoyacaman.com

Yacamán Aristizabal is a Colombian racing driver from Santiago de Cali. Yacamán began his career in open-wheel racing, but switched to sports car endurance racing in 2012. He raced in the US until he joined G-Drive Racing in 2015, where he drove a Ligier in the WEC Championship and finished that season 3rd in the LMP2 class. In 2016 Yacamán switched to a sprint format, driving for BMW Team Teo Martín in the International GT Open series. He finished runner-up for the 2016 Championship.

For 2009, he returned to the U.S. to race in the Firestone Indy Lights Series with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. He finished 12th in points with a best finish of 4th at the Milwaukee Mile. He returned to the series in 2010 with the rookie team Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing. Yacamán improved to 10th in points and captured his first podium finish with a 3rd place at Toronto. He returned to the series in 2011 for a third season, this time with Team Moore Racing. He captured his first win late in the season at Baltimore and finished fourth in points. Yacamán achieved his first Indy Lights pole position at the 2012 Firestone Freedom 100. He finished the season third in points with two wins (at Detroit and Toronto) and three runner-up finishes.

source: wikipedia.com

Results

2017 Third position – Red Bull Global Rallycross Louisville

2016 BMW M6 GT3 – BMW Team Teo Martin

2015 Ligier JS P2 – G-Drive Racing

2016 Oreca Chevy – Starworks Motorsport

2014 Morgan – NIssan – Ligier – OAK Racing

2013 DP 6 – Michael Shank Racing

2012 DP 6 Michael Shank Racing – Daytona 24 hours

2012 Dallara 2 – Team Moore Racing

2012 Dallara 2 – Team Moore Racing

2011 Dallara 10 – Wayne Taylor Racing

2009 Dallara 44 – Sam Schmidt

2008 D308 14 – Tecauto

2008 D306 44 – Novatec Racing

2006 Formula BMW – Master Junior Formula

Matthew HallidayMatthew Halliday

New Zealand race car driver

Full name: Matthew Halliday

Nationality: New Zealand

Resides: Auckland, NZ

Birthdate: July 14, 1979

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.matthaliday.com

Matt Halliday is a New Zealand born international racing driver who has been contesting a variety of racing categories worldwide. Having risen through the ranks of junior formulae such as karting and Formula Ford he quickly progressed to international racing championships including Formula Holden in Australia, Indy Lights in the USA and Formula Renault V6 in Europe and Asia.The highest profile categories he has raced in include Australian V8 Supercars endurance races, USA Champcars, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and more recently the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup contested in Europe and the Middle East. When his commitments allow, Matt also returns to New Zealand to contest selected Porsche GT3 events.

source: wikipedia.com

Results

2010 – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Europe and Middle East

2009/10 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2009 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Mini-Endurance

2008– V8 Supercars – Australia

2008– New Zealand Grand Prix – Toyota Racing Series

2007/08 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2007– V8 Supercars – Australia

2007– USA Champ Car World Series

2007 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2006/07– A1GP Series World Cup Of Motorsport

2006– V8 Supercars – Australia

2006 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup

2006–Formula Renault V6 Asia Championship

2005/06– A1GP Series World Cup Of Motorsport

2005– V8 Supercars – Australia

2005 – Champcar World Series – USA

2005 – New Zealand Porsche GT3 Championship

2004– V8 Supercars – Australia

2004 – Australia and NZ – Porsche GT3 and Carrera Cup

2004 – Porsche Trans Tasman GT3 Challenge – NZ

2003 –Formula V6 Euroseries – Europe and UK

Dayton Indy Lights Series 2001 – USA

2nd & 3rd – New Zealand Grand Prix

3rd – Formula Holden Championship

Formula Holden 1999 – 2000 – Australia and NZ

4th – National Championship (10 Top 3 finishes)

3rd – NZ FFI600 Festival

Formula Ford 1998 – NZ

National Sprint Champion in1997.

National Senior Champion in 1996

National Junior Light Champion in 1994

1988 – 1997 Karting – NZ

Burt JennerBurt Jenner

X Games Athlete

Full name: Burt Jenner

Nationality: American

Resides: Malibu, CA

Birthdate: September 6, 1978

Supercar Lites Class Driver

www.jennerracing.com

Joining AF Racing alongside Alejandro Fernandez, Jenner makes his first GRC Lites start in Memphis nearly four years removed from his first test session in the car. The former Octane Academy winner has made a name for himself in off-road racing and sports cars, and combines those backgrounds in his first attempt at rallycross. The California native is just one in a long line of drivers to make his debut for the team, many of whom have gone on to contend for wins.